1 Peter 1:5 - A Living Hope

who through faith
Faith is the means by which believers are connected to God's power. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust and reliance on God. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and is essential for salvation. It is through faith that believers are justified (Romans 5:1) and live (Galatians 2:20).

are shielded by God’s power
The Greek word for "shielded" (phroureo) implies a military guard, suggesting protection and security. This indicates that believers are under divine protection, much like a fortress guarded by soldiers. God's power is omnipotent, ensuring that nothing can separate believers from His love (Romans 8:38-39). This protection is not from physical harm but from spiritual defeat, preserving the believer's faith until the end.

for the salvation
Salvation in this context refers to the full realization of deliverance from sin and its consequences. While believers experience aspects of salvation now, such as justification and sanctification, the ultimate salvation includes glorification, which will be fully realized in the future (Romans 8:30). This salvation is a central theme throughout Scripture, promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53, John 3:16).

that is ready to be revealed
The phrase indicates that this salvation is prepared and awaiting revelation. It emphasizes the certainty and imminence of God's promise. The readiness of salvation reflects God's sovereign plan, which has been in place since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This future revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, urging them to live in anticipation of Christ's return.

in the last time
The "last time" refers to the eschatological period, the end of the current age when Christ will return. This is a common theme in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live in light of the coming day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:10-13). The last time is characterized by the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, the final judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). This future perspective provides motivation for holy living and perseverance in faith.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter
The apostle of Jesus Christ, traditionally believed to be the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers facing trials.

2. Believers
The recipients of Peter's letter, likely Gentile Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor, who are experiencing persecution and need reassurance of their faith.

3. God
The divine protector and source of power who shields believers through their faith.

4. Salvation
The ultimate deliverance and eternal life promised to believers, which will be fully revealed in the last time.

5. The Last Time
Refers to the eschatological future when God's final plans for salvation and judgment will be unveiled.

Teaching Points

Faith as a Shield
Faith is not just belief but a protective force that guards our hearts and minds against spiritual attacks.

God’s Power in Our Lives
Recognize that it is God's power, not our own strength, that sustains and protects us through life's trials.

The Assurance of Salvation
Our salvation is secure and will be fully realized in God's perfect timing, providing hope and encouragement in difficult times.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Focus on the eternal promises of God rather than temporary struggles, knowing that our ultimate salvation is assured.

Active Faith in Daily Life
Engage in practices that strengthen faith, such as prayer, reading Scripture, and fellowship, to experience God's shielding power.

(5) Who are kept.--This explains the word "you:" "those, I mean, who are under the guardianship of God's power." Bengel says, "As the inheritance hath been preserved, so are the heirs guarded; neither shall it fail them, nor they it."

Through faith.--The Apostle is fearful lest the last words should give a false assurance. God can guard none of us, in spite of His "power," unless there be a corresponding exertion upon our part--which is here called "faith"--combining the notions of staunch fidelity and of trustfulness in spite of appearances. It is through such trustful fidelity that we are guarded.

Unto salvation.--These words "unto" arise like point beyond point in the endless vista. "Begotten unto an inheritance, which hath bee reserved unto you, who are kept safe unto a deliverance." This Salvation, spoken of again in 1Peter 1:9, must not be taken in the bald sense of salvation from damnation. Indeed, the thought of the perdition of the lost does not enter at all into the passage. The salvation, or deliverance, is primarily a deliverance from all the trials and persecutions, struggles and temptations of this life--an emergence into the state of peace and rest, as we can see from the verses that follow.

Ready to be revealed in the last time.--How such an assurance helps to form the very "faith" through which the treasure is secured! That perfect state of peace, that heavenly inheritance, is not something to be prepared hereafter, but there it is. If only our eyes were opened, we should already see it. It is all ready, only waiting for the great moment. The tense of the word "revealed" implies the suddenness of the unveiling. It will be but the work of an instant to put aside the curtain and show the inheritance which has been kept hidden so long behind it. This, however, will not take place till the exact period (so the word for "time" suggests; comp. 2Thessalonians 2:6), and that period will be the last of the world's history. For such teaching the Hebrews would be well prepared by the Old Testament--for instance, comp. Daniel 12:9; Daniel 12:13--and it was the earliest kind teaching culled for converts out of the "oracles of God" (Hebrews 5:12; Hebrews 6:2). . . .

Verse 5. - Who are kept by the power of God. "Hereditas servata est," says Bengel, "heredes custodiuntur?" The verb φρουρεῖν, is a military word. "The governor under Areas the king kept [guarded] the city of the Damascenes" (2 Corinthians 11:32); the peace of God shall keep ("guard." Philippians 4:7) the hearts of those who trust in him, - they are guarded by a heavenly host; "The angel of the Lord encampeth around them that fear him;" they are guarded by, or rather, according to the exact rendering, in the power of God. His power is all around them; it is the sphere in which they live and move; no harm can reach them in that all-embracing shelter. Through faith. Faith, the evidence of things not seen, realizes the presence of the heavenly guard, and gives courage and confidence to the Christian when assailed by temptations and dangers; the servant of Elisha feared no more the hosts of Syria, when he saw the mountain full of chariots and horses of fire round about his master. Faith is the instrument by means of which we grasp the Divine strength, so that it is made perfect in our weakness. Unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. By "salvation" St. Peter means not merely present deliverance from sin, but everlasting life, the joy of our Lord, the deep, full blessedness of his elect in heaven. Eye hath not seen it yet, it hath not entered into the heart of man. But it is ready to be revealed; the veil which now hides it from us will be withdrawn in the last time, when the last page of this world's history shall have been written, when the number of the elect shall be accomplished, and the eternal purpose of God shall have been fulfilled. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

faith
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

[are] protected
φρουρουμένους (phrouroumenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5432: From a compound of pro and horao; to be a watcher in advance, i.e. To mount guard as a sentinel; figuratively, to hem in, protect.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

power
δυνάμει (dynamei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[the] salvation
σωτηρίαν (sōtērian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991: Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.

[that is] ready
ἑτοίμην (hetoimēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2092: Ready, prepared. From an old noun heteos; adjusted, i.e. Ready.

to be revealed
ἀποκαλυφθῆναι (apokalyphthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 601: To uncover, bring to light, reveal. From apo and kalupto; to take off the cover, i.e. Disclose.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] last
ἐσχάτῳ (eschatō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

time.
καιρῷ (kairō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.

Links

1 Peter 1:5 NIV
1 Peter 1:5 NLT
1 Peter 1:5 ESV
1 Peter 1:5 NASB
1 Peter 1:5 KJV1 Peter 1:5 BibleApps.com
1 Peter 1:5 Biblia Paralela
1 Peter 1:5 Chinese Bible
1 Peter 1:5 French Bible
1 Peter 1:5 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 1 Peter 1:5 Who by the power of God (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)